Author's Note: Sorry this took so long, and sorry it is shorter than usual. Trying to get back into the swing of writing is tricky when your daughter likes to kick your keyboard.

Chapter 20: A Warlord Appears!

It had been two days since receiving the alert regarding Don Krieg, and the crew of the Inquisitor was restless. Zoro, his swords in immaculate condition, was training on the deck using weights that defied belief for the average sailor. His display, however, had inspired more to follow suit. After a few quick bouts in the training area of the ship, Zoro began instructing Hina's crew in proper swordplay and equipment maintenance.

Nami and Nojiko, having barely slept since they began the process of cataloging and determining provenance for Buggy's treasure, staggered woozily into the kitchen, retrieved as much coffee as they could conveniently carry, and sequestered themselves once again in the hold. Luffy periodically sent Makino down to check on them between her shifts in the crow's nest.

As for the Chief Inspector, Luffy found himself poring over all information gathered on Don Krieg. "Alright, so if Hawky blew up most of his ships, that means there are likely only one or two remaining. They've probably been run ragged, so they aren't going to be in the best shape. I know Gramps told me to take them out and bring Krieg in, but we're still on the water, so it's Hina's show. I wonder if Zoro could use it to gauge his students." Luffy scratched his head vigorously. "Yosh. That's about as good as it gets. We should reach them soon if the last report is accurate.

Luffy exited his office, his coat firmly on his shoulders and his hammer at his waist. Standing respectfully to Hina's side, he looked upon the training crew. "If you don't mind a suggestion, Captain, I think we should let Zoro's trainees take on Krieg's crew. After an encounter with Mihawk, they won't be at 100%, so even if that 'Strongest Crew' nonsense were true they would be able to handle it. It would let Zoro know how much they've adopted in such a short time, and after the last few islands, they need a win of their own. Thoughts?" He paused as she thought his words over.

Nodding briefly, Hina answered, "Hina agrees. Hina can't let your team have all of the fun." A slight smirk flickered on her face before being suppressed. "If Krieg shows a tough time, Hina may call on your crew to deal with him."

"No problem. Just let us know and we'll be ready."

A shout rings out from the crow's nest. "SHIPS SIGHTED OFF THE STARBOARD BOW!"

Hina reached out and tugged on a bell-pull. "Battle stations, marines! Enemies sighted! Luffy's team, you are on standby. Wait for Hina's word to attack."

The door to the hold opened, Nami and Nojiko exiting with a slight sway. Luffy sighed as Hina rolled her eyes. The inspector carefully steered the two towards their rooms. "Not you two. You two must get some rest. You've been at that for quite some time, and before you give me any grief, it's an order."

With a lazy salute, the two fell into their respective beds. Snores began to ring almost immediately.

Luffy chuckled at their behavior, shook his head, and went back out on the deck. He narrowed his eyes as he scanned the horizon for the ship. His grin grew as he spotted the nearly derelict vessel on the horizon. Deep slashes and charred wood grace its limping form. He raced to the railing to get a better look as Hina directed the ship closer.

The crew waited with tense anticipation for the boarding action soon to occur. Swords checked in their scabbards, pistols primed for firing, and eager men trying to calm their racing hearts. As they crept closer, they noticed minimal action aboard the vessel. Pirates slumped at their stations, barely going through the motions of sailing. Hina grit her teeth at the sight, eyes scanning constantly for a trap. As she began to inhale to give the boarding order, she was interrupted by an unexpected sight.

The flagship of the Krieg Pirates erupted in a pillar of flame.

Lethargic pirates began to stream overboard, seeking the quenching solace of the ocean over the unforgiving blaze that befell their ship. As the flames danced over the shattered wreckage, a stray plume arced from Krieg's vessel to the Inquisitor. Marines readied their weaponry and fetched water to combat whatever devilry has arrived aboard their ship, unwilling to meet the same fate as the pirates. Rather than burning the ship, the flames coalesced into a man bearing a cocky grin, an orange hat, and a massive spade tattooed upon his back. "Sup?"

The marines began to charge but were stopped by their captain, "Stand down, Marines. You can't touch this one. Gather the others before they drown." She ground her teeth. "What are you doing here, Warlord." She spat her words like venom.

Stepping back in shock, the marines then turned their efforts towards fishing Krieg pirates from the ocean and arresting them. The newcomer swaggered over to the rail. "Oh, nothing much. I was just passing through when I found this sorry lot being chased by Mihawk." He laughed and rubbed the back of his neck. "They interrupted his nap. I bribed him with some Alabastan tea to let me chase them. I was heading this way anyway. I must split their bounty 70/30, but hey… I wasn't expecting to make some coin this trip, so it all worked out."

"And what brings a Warlord to the East Blue other than this?" Hina seethed.

Ace grinned and pointed at Luffy, who is nearly vibrating with excitement at the railing. "That guy."

Luffy cleared his throat and in a voice shaking with energy, "Warlord Portgas D. Ace. Would you care to join me in my office? You are obviously welcome as well, Captain. You undoubtedly have questions."

Her eyes sparked like flint, "Hina does."

ooo

Being the last to enter, Hina closed the door to Luffy's office behind her. At the confirming click, the restraint barely showed by the young inspector snapped. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAACE!" He launched himself at the Warlord, wrapping his legs around his torso and his arms around his head.

Hina blinked in shock. "INSPECTOR LUFFY! EXPLAIN!"

Ace forced Luffy's arm clear of his mouth. "This spaz is my little brother. It's been…. What… four years, Lu?"

Luffy grinned his megawatt grin, "Yup! He set sail just before I left Fuusha for the first time."

Her eyes narrowed, "Your brother is a pirate? And you didn't feel that Hina should know about this?"

She stared daggers at the duo and Ace, sensing the mood, transitioned his body to flame and shifted sideways to escape Luffy's death grip. "Now, before you jump on Luffy about this, you should first yell at Old Man Garp. It was his idea. He figured the fewer people knew about it, the less likely it is to be a problem."

At Garp's name, she relaxed slightly but maintained her rigid posture. "Hina will do so. Why didn't you become a Marine as well?"

Ace waved off her suggestion, "Nah. Too many rules. I need freedom." He extended one lit finger, "A flame needs air to grow. It will snuff out if you pen it in too much and don't let it breathe." He scratches his head. "Originally, I was going to seek out Old Man Whitebeard for personal reasons, but I got a letter after I found the Mera Mera no Mi inviting me to be a Warlord." He ruffled Luffy's hair. "I'd have turned it down, but this way I can be free without being opposed to my little brother. Win-Win."

The trio turn as the door opens, admitting the three women of the Inspector Corps. Ace grinned and waved cheekily, "Sup, 'Kino? Still hanging around this idiot?"

The green haired sniper rolled her eyes as she made her way to Luffy's side, draping her arm around his waist and leaning against him. "Where else would I be, Acehole?" Nami's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly. Nojiko merely laughed, the sound drawing Ace's attention. He slid over on a low bed of flame. "Well hello there. Portgas D. Ace, Warlord of the Sea."

Nami snickered at the flustered expression on her sister's face. "Ah… N..Nojiko." Her eyes met Luffy's asking for an explanation.

Giggling, Luffy explained, "Shishishi…. This is my brother, Ace. He grew up with me and Makino on Fuusha." Seeing a spark of confusion, he shook his head, "I'll explain later. Ace, this is Nojiko and Nami. Zoro is probably asleep or cuddled up with his swords… or asleep cuddling his swords. They are part of my group. What do you think?"

Ace smirked, "Well, if they are as skilled as Makino, then they are way too good for you." He winked at Nojiko, "How 'bout it, pretty lady? Want to be a pirate?"

His outrageous flirting broke the tension in the room, sending the room, sans the very confused Hina, into hysterics. Wiping her eye, Nojiko grinned saucily, "Nice try, Hot Stuff. Keep trying, though. I could use a sexy little gentleman caller. Keep me from getting bored."

Ace blinked and began to blush, "Ah... well. Yes." He cleared his throat. "I should probably head back and keep my crew of knuckleheads in line. There's a restaurant nearby that they keep whining about going to. You guys interested?"

Luffy's grin faltered, "I'd love to, Ace, but we have to keep going on our patrol. Next time I have leave, I'll let you know, hey?"

Waving off his explanation, the elder brother smiled, "Sure thing, Lu. You still have my number?"

"Yep!"

"Well, alright then. See you next time, bro. Nice to see you without you shooting at me, Makino" He rapped knuckles with the Inspector, before smoothly taking Nojiko's hand and placing a brief kiss on the back. "Until next time." He strode from the office and took flight once more, landing on his flame propelled craft and jetting into the distance.

Makino released her hold on Luffy and walked over to the still processing Hina. "Tell you what, Captain. Let's go to your office and I can give you all the details." She paused, "Nami… if you have a moment later, I would like to talk to you about something." As the sniper guided the captain, she stopped long enough to whisper in Nojiko's ear, "Make him work for it."

Luffy fell back into his chair, "Shishishi…. What a day. Thought I was going to see Hawky and ended up seeing my brother."

Purupurupurupuru.

Luffy's eyebrow arched as he reached for the den-den mushi.

Purupurupuru-CLICK!

"Inspector Luffy. Go ahead."

"Ah, good. How is your progress on the Krieg matter?" Garp's rough voice echoed from the snail.

With a yawn, Luffy replied, "Eh. Ace took care of it before we got there. They are in the hold. Not sure if Krieg is or not. If he didn't get off the ship, he's either burned up, or he sank to the bottom if rumors of his armor are to be believed."

"Meh. Good riddance. Too bad you didn't get him first. Now I have to give Mihawk and Ace a cut of the bounty." Luffy smirked at the begrudging grumble in his grandfather's voice. "Once you wrap things up there, head over to Syrup Village on the Gecko Islands. We got a distress call from some kid and a girl saying pirates have taken the island over. Not sure if it's legit, but if we're going to turn our reputation around, we need to investigate all claims. Should be a two-day trip from there. When you get there, find Usopp and Kaya. They are the ones who called in the claim. Good hunting, Luffy."

"Sure thing, Gramps." Luffy hung up the handset. "Nami, let Hina know our change in orders. Nojiko, check on the salvage and arrest operation. Let me know when it is done. We've got pirates to catch!"

ooo

A Small Cave, Gecko Islands

Kaya coughed weakly in the back of the concealed hide-out of the once proud Usopp Pirates. "Usopp? Are you there?"

The long-nosed young man knelt at her side. "Always, Kaya."

She smiled faintly, "Do you think they will come?"

Usopp hesitated briefly.

"It's alright if you have to lie…"

He clutched her carefully to his chest, their tears mingling on his shirt. "They're coming, Kaya. You'll see. Brave warriors of the sea, just like me. They're coming in their ships to save us."

Her hand fell limply to the makeshift bed and he laid her gently down.

"They'll save us."